Wisconsin Election At A Glance: Supreme Court Race

MILWAUKEE, WI — Incumbent Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly faces Dane County Circuit Court Judge Jill Karofsky in the April 7 general election to earn a 10-year term to Wisconsin's highest court.

Kelly took in the most votes by far during the February primary — a total of 50 percent of all ballots cast. He is looking to retain his seat after his appointment by former Gov. Scott Walker to fill the remainder of Justice David Prosser's term after his retirement.

Although Kelly came out ahead on in the primary, Journal Sentinel columnist Dan Bice says he might actually be the underdog come April 7. That's because there is expected to be a heavy Democratic turnout as a result of the Presidential primary in Wisconsin, he said.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has seven justices, and conservatives have a 5-2 advantage in the court. That balance gives conservative lawmakers and thinkers alike an advantage over key issues, such as redistricting, Act 10, school choice, gun safety, and many others. A win for Kelly guarantees that the court will continue it's 5-2 conservative lean, while a win for Karofsky likely means that balance shifts to 4-3 in favor of conservative-leaning justices. Justices serve 10-year terms on the court.

Jill Karofsky

Jill Karofsky, in her own words:

We have to root out the appearance of corruption that surrounds our Supreme Court. Wisconsinites have to trust that their judges are going to follow the rule of law and not bend to the whims of their campaign donors. I intend to lead by example, and return honor and dignity to the court.

Unfortunately, the courts have become wildly politicized, to our detriment. We need judges and justices who will uphold the rule of law and treat every litigant fairly and honestly, applying the constitution and statutes to today's world. I will not concern myself with what partisan right-wing special interests and politicians would like the outcome of cases to be.

Daniel Kelly

Daniel Kelly, in his own words:

I think the most important issue in the campaign relates to the proper understanding of the role of the Supreme Court and the justices who serve the people of Wisconsin. As I have said frequently when discussing the Court's role with my fellow Wisconsinites, I believe the job of a justice is to decide cases based on the law, not on what the justices might wish the law to be. We do not make the law, ignore the law, or play favorites with the law. And so we treat all litigants who come to court with respect and fairness as we thoughtfully and carefully decide their cases based only on the law.

Related to that issue is the proper understanding and application of the Constitutions of the United States and of Wisconsin, as well as statutory material. I understand that they must be construed according to their text, giving meaning to each word and phrase as they would have been understood at the time each provision was adopted. Judges should not go out of their way to give an overly narrow application to a provision guaranteeing rights, for instance, nor should they import their view of contemporary values into a legal text.